What Requires Memorization?
Despite advances in technology and learning innovations, Dr. Medina maintains that otolaryngologists should have a firm understanding of certain concepts. A sound starting point is the Comprehensive Core Curriculum assembled by the American Board of Otolaryngology, based in Houston. This curriculum, a compendium of topics, diseases, and disorders that is included in the scope of knowledge for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, is also the foundation for board certification examinations. In addition, to comply with the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, every residency program must have regularly scheduled didactic sessions and must provide the residents goals and objectives for each assignment at each educational level.
The American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Academy of Otolaryngology are working together to merge their two curricula and then add educational material to improve resident education.
The bottom line: While memorizing some foundational information will likely always be necessary for physicians, learning methods will surely continue to change as the fields of medicine and technology advance.